Newsletter No.54

September 2003

ESUJ University Debating Competition Coming Soon, October 12 and 13!

ESUJ's main annual event, the University Debating Competition will occur for the sixth time this year. Replies were received from numerous universities during the May to June 13 application period. This year's thirty teams come from 22 different universities. By now, we expect most members are very familiar with the event. Once again this year, with the assistance of ESU London, we are welcoming four top university debaters from the UK, together with a debate instructor (this year Ms. Debbie Newman replaces Mr. Marc Whitmore), for a model debate and workshop as well as other activities. ESUJ has adopted the parliamentary style of debate (British Parliamentary Debate), in which the motion is announced twenty minutes prior to the debate, so that quick thinking and ability to win over the audience are very important in addition to logical reasoning. In recent years this style of debate has become increasingly popular in educational circles and among working people as well as students. In Great Britain, many prime ministers, MPs, judges, and diplomats, have been devotees of debate since their school days. Again this year as in past years, we have more than a hundred volunteers, including judges and student staff. We hope members will take advantage of the holiday weekend to come along to the debate and cheer on their old school team as well as to enjoy the exciting combat between teams of students.

2003 University Debating Competition in English

Sunday October 12 and Monday October 13 (national holiday);
National Olympics Memorial Youth Center (Yoyogi), Admission free
Four preliminary rounds and workshop on October 12, Final rounds for best eight teams and model debate on October 13

Participating Universities: Akita University, International Christian University, Kanda University of International Studies, Keio University, University of Kitakyushu, Kobe University, Kyoto University, Osaka Prefecture University, Nanzan University, Sanno University, Seikei University, Senshu University, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Shumei University, University of Tokyo, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo University of Fisheries, Tokyo Woman's Christian University, Tsuda College, Yokohama City University, Yokohama National University

UK Debaters：
Mr. Alex Deane 　 The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
Mr. Alex Ward University of Newcastle
Ms Rachel Carrell University of Oxford
Ms Diana Tansley University of Edinburgh

Seminar to be held this year in Osaka

Once again this year a seminar will be held in the Kansai region, featuring the debut of this year's British team in our event! Interest in parliamentary debate continues to grow in the Kansai, with more universities from the region coming to Tokyo for our competition every year. The seminar is open to anyone who wishes to attend, not just university students. Kansai residents, please come along to the seminar, and let anyone who might be interested know about it. (free admission + no need to reserve)

Parliamentary Debate Seminar in Kansai 2003

ESUJ＆KIEF (Kansai Intercollegiate ESS Federation) joint organizers
October 8, 2003 (Wednesday), 18:30-20:30
Osaka Prefecture University,　Gakujutsu Koryu Kaikan
Contents: basic lecture (Japanese lecturer), model debate (by UK Debaters), explanation and lecture by ESU London's specialized instructor (Ms. D. Newman)

JITOW receives its 100th submission!

On August 26 ESUJ web site column JITOW (Japan in Their Own Words) received its 100th submission since its debut in October, 2000. Thanks to all the volunteers from our writer's bureau who have sent pieces to JITOW. It is becoming more and more important for the opinions of Japanese to be available in English. Please tell your friends and acquaintances about JITOW.
Recent submissions
The American "Mission" in the Eyes of the Arab People: KITAMURA Fumio
Japanese Voters Force Parties to be Committal : HANABUSA Masamichi
Gender Coexistence - Japan's Cultural Tradition : FUJITANI Atsuko
Resolving the North Korean Nuclear Issue - The Need for a Road Map: KURIYAMA Takakazu

Coming Events

English Club (by Mr. Masumi Muramatsu) 18:30-20:30
September 16 (Tue) at Tokyo International Forum G405 Oct. 21(Tue) & Nov. 21 (Tue) at Doyu Club (Otemachi)

ESUJ Lecture "Aiming at Sustainable Society" by Prof. M. Suzuki
Oct. 22(Wed) 18:30-20:00 at Japan National Press Club (9th floor)

ESUJ Luncheon by H.E. Sir S. Gomersall, Birsith Ambasador
Nov. 26 (Wed) Only limited for ESUJ Supporting Members

ESUJ Christmas Party! Dec. 17 (Wed) at FCCJ

The next Newsletter will be published in the second half of October or early November.